A Master of Arts (MA) in Public Sociology offers a dynamic and invaluable degree for individuals passionate about creating meaningful social change and addressing pressing societal issues. This advanced degree equips students with a profound understanding of sociological theories and research methodologies, enabling them to critically analyze complex social phenomena. Advanced training in sociology should enable students to think insightfully and critically about society and human relationships and to serve more effectively in a variety of professions. The department’s MA in Sociology prepares students for research professions, doctoral studies, teaching in the social sciences, as well as employment in human services, government agencies, corporations, higher education, and social research positions. Recent graduates are working as directors or supervisors in human and public service as policy professionals, researchers, data analysts, and educators.
Admission Criteria
In addition to School of Graduate Studies and Research admissions requirements, the applicants to the Sociology MA program should have completed at least 12 hours of undergraduate social science courses with an average of “B” or better. Students not meeting this requirement may be admitted if they agree to take additional undergraduate or graduate sociology courses designated by the department.
Program Requirements
Both the non-thesis and thesis option requires a total of 30 credit hours. Additional courses are available from other departments on related topics such as counseling, individual assessment, women’s studies, criminology, cross-cultural studies, public policy and finance, community and urban planning, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. Up to nine credit hours may be taken outside the department. Students who enrolled for dual-level courses counting towards their undergraduate degree at IUP may not repeat the same courses for credit as graduate students.
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